Cymbeline Lyrics

       Music by Loreena McKennitt
       Lyrics by William Shakespeare (c. 1609)

Fear no more the heat o' th' sun
   Nor the furious winters rages;
Thou thy wordly task hast done,
   Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o' th' great;
   Thou art past the tyrant's stroke.
Care no more to clothe and eat;
   To three the reed is as the oak.
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning flash,
   Nor th' all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
   Thou hast finished joy and moan.
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.

         Here are William Shakespeare's thoughts
         on this earthly visit. this song occurs
         towards the end of his romance play
         CYMBELINE, which was written near the
         end of the author's life. The play is set
         in ancient Britain when the Romans were
         invading the last remaining outpost of
         the old Celtic order. - L.M.